True Life Tragedy: Full Circle Theater Co. to premiere work by local playwright

February 23, 2012

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Exactly what is normal? For most, simple social interaction is second nature, but if you've been isolated and living in a cave in the Appalachian Mountains most of your formative years, just speaking to another person may not come so easily.

The Full Circle Theater Company is debuting the world premier of "Ezra & Jake," a story of two brothers - one raised in a cave in West Virginia while the other went into foster care.

"Ezra & Jake" was written by local playwright Leigh Horne and is an award-winning piece in West Virginia. This play is based on a true story about two boys whose father took them to live in a cave up on a mountain after he allegedly shot and killed their mother for having an affair. Jake, the oldest boy, runs back to civilization and finds his way into foster care while Ezra stays up on the mountain to help care of his ailing father.

The cast of five is small, and the stage is set in the minimalist style, leaving the actors to do what they do best.

"We're fond of that," said director John Jurand. "It puts all the burden on the actors."

"It's a fantastic show," said Adam Rhodes, who plays the role of Jake. "It's a gut-wrenching story full of twists and turns. It's been fun and exciting."

"Ezra & Jake" shows the psychological effects child abuse has on children as they age and become adults, Rhodes said. Even though someone's actions may be wrong, this play shows how circumstances can shape a person and why they choose to do the things they do.

Brian Craft, who portrays Ezra, said although his character is very scarred, he wears his emotions on his sleeve and has interesting, yet complicated, relationships.

"His relationship with Jake is incredibly solid, but it's a love/hate relationship because Jake left him and went to a foster home," Craft said. "He's also awkward when it comes to girls. He's very innocent."

When Ezra finally does come off the mountain, Jake introduces him to a waitress, Tracy, who he hopes will help Ezra get a job and assimilate back in to society.

Tracy is a waitress at a Denny's who is working her way through college in order to become a social worker.

"She seems very down to earth and is a really sweet girl," said Karise Wilson, who plays Tracy. "I think she's attracted to Ezra's innocence and inner beauty. She's a caregiver and really wants to help."

As someone who works in the field of psychology, Jurand said people need to be reminded that when hearing a horrific story about someone's past, they should never say, "Oh I can imagine."

"In some cases, no - no you can't imagine," he said.

And this is one of those instances, he said.

Rhodes and Craft are pre-professional actors from Shenandoah University who have worked on stage in New York, and Wilson is an actor who has performed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

"Ezra & Jake" is very intense with raw emotions and adult language and situations. It is a 45-minute one-act play that promises to keep the audience engaged the entire time.

"We think it has the making of something larger," Jurand said. "It's something to be expanded on."